Circadin (Melatonin) 2mg Tablets(10 modified-release tablets)

From:£19.99

Description for Circadin (Melatonin) 2mg Tablets

Circadin 2mg tablets contain the active ingredient melatonin. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that helps to control the body clock and acts at chemical receptors in the brain to promote sleep. When taken correctly it can help you to adjust your body clock and sleep at the correct time when you have travelled across times zones.

Product Information

Circadin (melatonin) 2mg tablets ease symptoms of jet lag in people travelling over three or more time zones. To learn more about jet lag, visit our Online Doctor jet Lag page. Circadin 2mg tables are available from The Independent Pharmacy Online Doctor service, following a free consultation.

Circadin 2mg tablets contain the active ingredient melatonin, a hormone that the body releases when it is dark, letting your body know it is time for sleep. Melatonin helps to regulate the body’s clock (circadian rhythm) and acts on chemical receptors in the brain to promote sleep. Melatonin in Circadin 2mg tablets will help alter your normal circadian rhythm, allowing you to sleep when it is dark in your new time zone and ease the symptoms of jet lag.

Melatonin is prescribed to treat insomnia in patients over the age of 55, however it can also be prescribed 'off-label' for short-term use in patients who are travelling across numerous times zones to treat jet lag.

Click here to read studies on the effectiveness of Circadin in treating Jet Lag 'off label'. 'Off label' means that the medicine is being used to treat a condition other than those that it was initially licensed to treat. For example, Circadin has been licensed to treat insomnia but can also be used 'off-label' to relieve jet lag. This means that there is less established data regarding the effectiveness of this treatment for the condition which it is prescribed and means that the instructions contained in the product information leaflet will not match the condition you are treating. You should always follow the instructions on the dispensing label on your medicine and contact us if you have any questions.

Take Circadin at bedtime in your new time zone on the day of arrival. Continue taking it for 2 – 5 nights depending on your response to the medication and the persistence of jet lag. You will not develop sudden drowsiness with melatonin; it will produce a more natural sleepiness 1 -2 hours after you take it.

Jet lag usually only occurs if you travel across three or more time zones, otherwise you should not need to take melatonin. Jet lag can be particularly bad when travelling east. Plan for melatonin treatment on your return home in addition to arrival at your destination. 3 nights’ treatment upon arrival and return home is should be enough to help you adjust to your new time zones.

Unlike some other ‘sleep’ medications, Circadin does not result in tiredness or grogginess in the morning. This is because it does not depress your central nervous system like other hypnotic drugs and sleeping tablets. For this reason, it is not advisable to use traditional sleeping medicines to treat jet lag.

Do not chew or crush Circadin tablets. They need to be swallowed whole to activate their prolonged release formulations. This ensures that they release melatonin slowly throughout the night, mimicking the body’s natural sleep pattern.

Circadin prolonged-release melatonin 2mg, is an innovative sleep medication, first in a new class of drugs: melatonin receptor agonists. Circadin® is available by prescription only, and is approved for primary insomnia treatment worldwide.

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the body at night. It acts as a signal to the internal biological clock in our brain, allowing the adjustment of functions such as sleep, blood pressure and certain hormones during sleep. Melatonin production is inhibited by light and diminishes with age and in some medical conditions.

It is also important to get the correct vaccinations and malaria tablets for your trip, if required, before you travel. Anti-malarial tablets are available from our Online Doctor. Vaccinations should be administered around 6 weeks before you leave.

Alternative Treatments

When you arrive at your destination you should;

Avoid napping.

Try to sleep at a normal hour in your new time zone

Try to stay outdoors as much as possible, natural light will help speed up the process.

Try to eat at normal hours for your new time zone and not the one you're used to at home.

*Prescription medicines are supplied subject to a medical consultation at the discretion of a doctor.

Take Circadin after food, 1-2 hours before bedtime for two to four nights on arrival in the new time zone.

Swallow the tablet whole – do not chew, crush or divide it as doing so will interfere with the prolonged release properties.

Circadin should not make you suddenly drowsy – you should feel a natural sleepiness between 1-2 hours after taking it.

Do not consume alcohol with Circadin, as it has a bad effect on sleep maintenance

You may also find the following advice useful to help prevent jet lag:

Top up on sleep before you go. Make sure you’re fully rested before you leave, tiredness can make jet lag worse.

Slowly change your sleep routine before you leave. Try adjusting your sleep routine a few days before you travel. If you’re travelling east go to bed slightly earlier than normal and try to stay up slightly later if you’re going west.

Take an overnight flight if possible. Sleeping overnight on the plane will let you wake up in the morning when you land. It is important to try to stay up until night time once you reach your new destination.

Drink plenty of water. Dehydration can make jet lag worse so drink plenty of fluids and avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol if possible.Go outdoors when you arrive. Exposure or daylight and darkness is one of the most crucial factors in setting your body clock. If you expose yourself to natural light at your destination it will help to speed up the change in your body clock.

If you do experience side effects from Circadin (Melatonin) they may include headache, sore throat, nausea, diarrhoea, and stomach or back pain. Please read the Patient Information Leaflet enclosed with your medicines for a full list of side effects.

If you experience any adverse effects from taking Circadin it is important to let us know immediately. Please log in to your online account and message one of our healthcare professionals or alternatively call us on 0333 22 00 519. In a medical emergency you should contact the emergency services or go straight to your local Accident & Emergency.

Do not drink alcohol while taking Circadin, because it reduces the medication’s effectiveness.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Do not take Circadin if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medication.

Driving and using machines

Circadin may cause drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery if this affects you. If your drowsiness continues, consult your doctor.

Circadin contains lactose monohydrate

Circadin contains lactose monohydrate. If you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this product.

Please read all packaging and the Product Information Leaflet before taking any new medicine and inform your doctor of medicines you take or intend to take.

Delivery & Shipping Information

UK ORDERS

We offer FREE standard tracked delivery on orders over £40.

The following delivery options are available:

Standard Tracked Delivery - 2/3 day delivery - £2.95

Express Tracked Delivery - 1/2 day delivery - £4.45

DPD Next Day - 1 working day - £6.95

Special Delivery (Guaranteed before 1pm) - £8.95

Saturday Guaranteed before 1pm - £10.45

Important Delivery Information

All our orders are sent out using Royal Mail (unless stated). We always aim to dispatch all Royal Mail orders received before 4pm the same working day. Any orders received after 4pm or over the weekend will be dispatched the next working day. We aim to dispatch all DPD orders placed before 3pm on the same working day.Orders will not be dispatched on weekends or bank holidays.

All orders are subject to approval by our team of doctors and pharmacists. Your delivery date in the checkout is subject to your consultation being approved by our healthcare team.

All orders can be fully tracked from your dispatch email and in your account.

We ensure all parcels are in plain packaging for discreet delivery of your medicines and pharmacy goods.

Deliveries containing pharmacy-only or prescription medicines may require a signature on receipt.

Delivery is free for all NHS prescriptions.

Royal Mail

Royal Mail are the most widely recognised mail delivery company in the UK. Being on the UK’s 29 million doorsteps six days a week means they offer unparalleled price and convenience. The Independent Pharmacy uses Royal Mail’s Tracked 48, Tracked 24, and Special Delivery Guaranteed parcel services to offer reliable, fully-tracked delivery at very competitive prices. Your Royal Mail parcel will arrive with your normal daily delivery of post.

Please note: Royal Mail do not deliver on Sundays or Bank Holidays - this should be taken into account when ordering.

If you are not home to accept your delivery, a card should be left by the Royal Mail representative. This card will provide details of where you can collect the order or how to arrange re-delivery.

Should you be unable to collect your missed delivery or arrange for your medication to be redelivered by Royal Mail, the pharmacy can resend your medication to the same, or a different address provided it has been returned to us and this happens within a 30 day window.

Once a package has been shipped with Royal Mail we advise that you are bound to the terms and conditions of their use together with the terms and conditions contained herein.

You have the right to cancel your order up to the point when your treatment is dispatched. The pharmacist must destroy any medication within 30 days of it being returned, even un-opened boxes, so we are not able to offer refunds once your treatment has been dispatched.

DPD

DPD Local is the most innovative parcel carrier around. Thanks to their industry-leading Predict service, they provide parcel recipients with a one hour delivery window, notified by email, so you don't have to wait in all day. What's more, it enables receivers to watch the progress of their delivery on a real-time map, all the way down to a final 15 minute time-slot.

As well as keeping customers informed at every stage of the journey, DPD believe in maximising choice and convenience. That's why DPD provide access to a suite of options both on the day of delivery and the night before, allowing customers to take delivery of their goods in a way that suits. If you wish to reschedule, you can:

Select an alternative delivery date

Opt for delivery to a nominated neighbour

Have the parcel left in a specified safe place

Collect the parcel from your local DPD Pickup Shop

Upgrade delivery to By 12

Please note: DPD do not deliver on Saturdays, Sundays or Bank Holidays - this should be taken into account when ordering.

Once a package has been shipped with DPD we advise that you are bound to the terms and conditions of their use together with the terms and conditions contained herein.

You have the right to cancel your order up to the point when your treatment is dispatched. The pharmacist must destroy any medication within 30 days of it being returned, even un-opened boxes, so we are not able to offer refunds once your treatment has been dispatched.

Forwarding houses

We are unable to ship orders to mailing or forwarding houses for onwards shipping to locations outside of the UK.

BFPO Postcodes

Unfortunately we are unable to deliver medicines to BFPO postcodes.

Remote Areas

Please be aware that Royal Mail Guaranteed services are not available to all customers in the UK, especially those that live in remote postcodes. Royal Mail advise customers of the following:

Frequently Asked Questions

Circadin tablets contain melatonin 2mg as the active ingredient in a modified-release form. It is prescribed to treat jet lag for people who are travelling across three or more time zones.

Modified-release means the active ingredient is released from the tablet slowly over time. This is usually between 8-10 hours and mimics your own natural melatonin release and helps to promote sleep. It is important to swallow the tablets whole with water and not to chew or halve the tablets. Splitting or chewing the tablets will destroy the prolonged release formulation and make them less effective.

Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone, which is released from the pineal gland to help you sleep. The release of melatonin is dependent on darkness and is your body's natural way of promoting sleep at night time. It can be attributed to us feeling a little sluggish in the winter when the days are shorter.

Melatonin release also usually occurs in a regular (circadian) rhythm, hence why you start to get tired at a similar time each evening.

When you arrive at your new destination, take one tablet at bedtime. The number of days treatment is the number of times zones divided by 2, then add one extra day. For example if you have crossed 4 times zones, you would need divide four by two (equalling two), and then add an extra one. Therefore you would need treatment for three days.

This is a rough guide, some people may find that they need treatment for a day more or less depending on their normal sleeping habits and how well they adapt to their new environment.

Swallow the tablets whole and do not crush, chew or split them in half.

Circadin tablets have a special prolonged release formulation that delivers the melatonin dose over 8-10 hours. The melatonin you can buy in health food shops is released immediately in to the system in one go. This immediate release of large doses of melatonin does not mimic your body's normal hormone levels and is less likely to be effective and may be more likely to produce side effects.

Circadin is a medicine and has a product license. This means that it has undergone testing and is subject to standards set by the MHRA (Medicines Health Regulatory Authority) in the UK. As such it is mandatory to have a batch number and expiry date and be subject to strict manufacturing regulation. An audit trail from manufacture to consumption is traceable and thus ensures it contains what it states. Health foods are not subject this strict regulation.

Although the effects of alcohol and Circadin have not been studied, the manufacturer advises to avoid the combination. Alcohol disrupts your normal sleeping pattern and will counteract the aim of the Ciracdin to establish a new sleeping pattern in your destination.

Melatonin is a hormone released from the brain’s pineal gland during the night and facilitates night time drowsiness and the ability to maintain sleep. Individual levels of melatonin may vary, but it has been found that people suffering from insomnia often have lower melatonin levels than people without insomnia. Melatonin therapy can improve the symptoms of insomnia.

Circadin is prolonged-release melatonin, which adds synthetic melatonin to the naturally occurring melatonin throughout the night. This facilitates the feeling of sleepiness.

Circadin tablets contain the active ingredient melatonin, a hormone that is produced by the brain’s pineal gland when night begins to fall. The production of melatonin then increases until about two to four a.m. and then decreases. The hormone acts on melatonin receptors in the brain and is linked to the control of circadian rhythms and sleep.The natural release of melatonin starts to decrease as we age and can cause sleep difficulties. For people 55 and over, taking this medication before bed may ease the symptoms of primary insomnia. Primary insomnia sufferers have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or poor sleep quality for at least one month.The melatonin in Circadin works in the same way as natural melatonin, by acting on the melatonin receptors in the brain. It reduces the time it takes to fall asleep and improves sleep quality and morning alertness in primary insomnia sufferers over 55.Take one Circadin tablet after food, one or two hours before bedtime, for up to 13 weeks.

If you are using Circadin only to fight jet lag, take it for 2 to 5 days. You can stop using Circadin at any time.Jet lag affects most long-distance travellers and can cause various sleep-related problems. Circadin naturally changes your internal body clock and eases symptoms of jet lag.

Though it is only temporary, jet lag is a particularly annoying condition because it can spoil the beginning of a holiday or trip and disrupt sleeping when you return. The symptoms, such as lack of energy and tiredness, can take days to fade. Circadin can help you to avoid such symptoms, leaving you better able to enjoy your travelling experience.Melatonin adjusts sleep patterns more naturally than is achieved through sleeping pills, which have risks such as addiction and side effects.In clinical trials, 32% of patients reported large improvements in sleep quality compared to a placebo.

Jet lag occurs when you fly through different time zones and your body struggles to adjust, leaving you feeling tired and confused. It becomes more serious the more time zones you cross. Jet lag upsets your sleeping pattern and makes you feel tired.

The body clock is your body’s response to sunlight during the day and lack of it at night. Darkness at night causes the body to generate a natural hormone called melatonin. Melatonin regulates your internal clock, helping you rest and get ready for sleep. Daylight prevents the production of melatonin so you are more active and energetic.

If you travel to a different time zone, it disturbs the cycle of when melatonin is produced in your body. The production and inhibition of melatonin affects sleeping patterns. This is where melatonin tablets can help.

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